America’s Cup Viewers Loyal to the End

Despite Emirates Team New Zealand not bringing home the America’s Cup, a record number of Kiwis tuned in to see the races, peaking with over 1.2 million viewers in the 5+ demographic on Saturday September 21.

DESPITE Emirates Team New Zealand not bringing home the America’s Cup, a record number of Kiwis tuned in to see the races, peaking with over 1.2 million viewers in the 5+ demographic on Saturday September 21.

Over 700,000 New Zealanders also tuned in to watch the final race yesterday.

The 2013 America’s Cup is the first major free-to-air sports event to be offered on desktops, mobile devices and television simultaneously and New Zealanders have embraced this technology in massive numbers.

Head of Television, Jeff Latch says: “While it’s not the result we all hoped for, the racing has been incredibly exciting and we were blown away by the huge number of Kiwis who chose to watch our live coverage – either on TV ONE or streamed live.”

On average, more than 670,000 people, in excess of 80% of people watching television in the 5+ demographic, saw the racing on TV ONE from the period of September 8 – September 26, while at its peak, more than 250,000 chose to watch the live racing online at the www.tvnz.co.nz/americascup site.

Viewing numbers now well exceed the audiences who tuned in during Team New Zealand’s successful challenge for the America’s Cup in 1995.

“The ability for viewers to be able to watch the racing live on their television, desktop, mobile or tablet has greatly improved the accessibility of our coverage and helped extend viewership,” says Latch. “I’d like to acknowledge the partnership role and support Toyota has played in helping fund getting our America’s Cup coverage to New Zealanders. This could not have happened without them as our broadcast partner.”

Toyota’s General Manager of Marketing, Neeraj Lala says: “We’ve been proud to partner with TVNZ to bring live coverage to NZ. The 34th America’s Cup has bought our nation to a standstill, and Emirates Team New Zealand have once again galvanised New Zealand.

TVNZ have done an exceptional job bringing all the live action to our homes to enjoy, and all Kiwis should stand proud. We’ve had the best prepared team, the best crew, and best led team that we have ever entered. Now is the time to support our team when they return home.”

Latch adds: “The quality of the host broadcast coverage from San Francisco coupled with the passion and expertise of our sports production and Breakfast teams has helped bring the event to life and make the America’s Cup a must watch for Kiwis in New Zealand and abroad. We’re incredibly proud of Emirates Team New Zealand for their amazing performances, commitment and sportsmanship. They are a class act, this just wasn’t our time.”

Since the America’s Cup races began on Sunday September 8, well over 1,800,000 live streams have been recorded on the www.tvnz.co.nz/americascup site.